I am 16 years old and a sophomore at La Salle College Prep. I am in Boy Scouts and plan to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout next year. I like to play a variety of board games and videogames. My favorites are Risk, Settlers of Catan, Minecraft, Ark, and Dungeons & Dragons. I played AYSO soccer in Monrovia until the pandemic and hope to play both soccer and volleyball for my school soon. I am a lifelong camper at Tom Sawyer Summer Camps and served as a Junior Counselor there last year. I hope to be able to work at Tom Sawyer every summer, even through college. Since the pandemic started, I have been attending St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Now that we are back to in-person services, I sometimes serve as a crucifer or banner carrier and help out with their volunteer projects, like gardening and donation drives. I love my cat, Rascal, and hope to adopt a cat-friendly dog soon.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My mom’s side of the family emigrated from Switzerland in the 1950’s and my dad’s is American as far back as anyone knows. I have a tabby cat named Rascal whose personality matches her name. My family is rather small, but we finally have a new addition now that my cousin gave birth to a baby boy this week!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am hoping to become a police officer. Right now, I am still a student. I love seeing my friends at school and cracking jokes with them at lunch.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
A couple of restaurants that I love are Café de Olla, Sena and Baskin Robbins.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
My mom and I have lived in Monrovia for 14 years and we love the community. We like our ability to walk to Old Town Monrovia to see movies and meet friends and family..
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
The most interesting person in my community I have met is my good friend, Gian. He is the kindest person I know, and if he ever said a bad word about anybody, I think the planet would stop spinning. He is very compassionate and understanding, super smart, and a very fun guy to hang with.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would travel to Tahiti because it is such a beautiful place and my number one travel destination. Tahiti, it’s a magical place.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My favorite movie franchise is the Fast and the Furious, and my two favorite TV series are Star Wars Rebels and Gravity Falls.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
I would say that it is important to remember your self-worth and that who you choose to be around you is extremely important.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Something on my bucket list is to learn to carve wooden figures really well.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
My go to band for music would probably be Maroon 5 or Imagine Dragons.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
The Krikorian movie theatre makes me most nostalgic because it was my favorite location in Monrovia for a long time and I have lots of great memories with friends there..
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would probably have lunch with two very close friends who live in Scotland and we would go to Peach Cafe. I haven’t been able to see them at all since the start of the pandemic.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
My favorite thing is how old this community is. There is so much history concerning the town, and you can even see it in the houses and buildings on Myrtle and throughout the neighborhoods.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5-10 years I hope to be either finishing up college or in training to become a police officer.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Many people actually don’t know that I like to watch sports games at stadiums or arenas if I am not playing them myself, but I prefer not to watch any sports on TV.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The most beautiful place I have been is Cambria, California.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is December, my favorite holiday is Christmas, and my favorite day of the year would be my birthday.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A 10 out of 10 experience would be when I go on my trips to Cambria and get to see the ocean and the little town.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
The friends I surround myself with inspire me to be better and be the best version of myself.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Some of my favorite smells are lemon, wood and smoke.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A place of welcome, wherever your loved ones are, and a place of rest.
